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IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking > MetalWork Discussion > What CNC program can fit this ?
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    30

    What CNC program can fit this ?

    Do you guys know of a software that I can easily cut that AI (adobe illustrator) file with?

    I want to be able to draw a design to scale in AI, convert it to DXF, and then easily generate the toolpath for it.

    I was wondering if you knew software that can help me? I know Cut2D from vcarve does this but its a bit pricey for me and I was hoping if there was an alternative.

    For example, I want to use these AI files:
    http://www.engadget.com/videos/xbox-360-laptop.ai

    Convert them to DXF (I know how to do this), and generate toolpath/g-code.

    If anyone know a prog. that can do this I would really appreciate it

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    You might have better luck with a different format like eps, as Illustrators .dxf export isn't very good. And other than the free stuff available, Cut2D is about as cheap as it gets. Here's two.
    http://www.dakeng.com/ace.htm
    http://www.gsimple.eu/index.html
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    30
    I was acutally using inscape to export to dxf, is eps its own format? Can AI export to a eps?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Inkscape's .dxf export isn't any good either. If you're using Inkscape, though, a member here wrote a new .dxf exporter that works better.

    http://mydxf.blogspot.com/2008/11/inkscape-r12-dxf.html
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
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    What program can write and export to EPS?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    35538
    Quote Originally Posted by woox View Post
    What program can write and export to EPS?
    Most illustration programs. Illustrator, Coel, Inkscape...

    But if you're using Inkscape, use the .sxf exporter I linked too. I only suggested .eps if you must export from illustrator. You'll still need to convert to .dxf, so going straight to .dxf from Inkscape is probably the easiest route.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    30
    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    Most illustration programs. Illustrator, Coel, Inkscape...

    But if you're using Inkscape, use the .sxf exporter I linked too. I only suggested .eps if you must export from illustrator. You'll still need to convert to .dxf, so going straight to .dxf from Inkscape is probably the easiest route.
    Seems like a good idea. I was just wondering is this possible using PHOTOSHOP?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    30
    Also I wanted to add I am not really engraving anything, I am just cutting out 2d parts not doing 3d etc...

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